Join me in my fight to cure blood cancers
The past four years I’ve been working alongside my teammates at Notable Labs to change the way that cancer is treated by putting patients first.
Today I’m asking you to support patients, my teammates, and our clinical and research partners as we join Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising to find cures for blood cancers.
WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT BLOOD CANCER RESEARCH?
As you may or may not know, research in blood cancers has paved the way for groundbreaking insights, treatments, and cures across many different types of cancers. Here is a short list of notable “firsts” in cancer research and treatment that started in blood cancers:
Combination chemotherapy: The first combination chemotherapy regimens were implemented in the 1950s in pediatric acute lymphobastic leukemia, turning a dismal landscape into a high rate of cures.
Targeted therapies: Chronic myeloid leukemia became the poster child for targeted treatment in cancer, opening the door for treatment directed by the underlying genetic abnormalities of the disease.
Differentiation therapy: The use of epigenetic modifiers such as retinoic acid (a vitamin A derivative!) to treat cancer was pioneered in acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Stem cell transplantation: Regenerative medicine (i.e. stem cell transplant), which originated in bone marrow transplatation for leukemia, offers the prospect of effective treatment for challenging medical conditions, including blindness and spinal cord injury.
Monoclonal antibodies + Immunotherapies: Immunotherapies, monoclonal antibodies, and endeavors into immuno-engineering of T cells (i.e. CAR therapies) were first applied successfully in lymphomas and refractory B cell leukemias.
Residual disease monitoring: Tracking of minimum residual disease post therapy in acute leukemias has enabled doctors to predict recurrence and provide a guide to future patient treatment and management. The experience with acute leukemias has suggested that monitoring cancer via serial blood samples will lead to improved management of patients and better outcomes in other cancers.
WHY LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY?
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and patient services. I’ve personally seen first hand how the funds that LLS raises have benefitted our clinical and research collaborators, and supported patients and their families.
THE LLS MAN/WOMAN OF THE YEAR FUNDRAISER:
Yesterday was the beginning of LLS’ 10-week campaign to raise funds for LLS research. Every dollar we raise counts as one vote for my team. The campaign culminates with the 2018 Grand Finale Gala on June 2nd at The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. This year’s LLS Gala will honor Ariana, a 7-year-old B-ALL survivor with dreams of becoming a dolphin trainer.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
DONATE: Donations can be made via THIS LINK. Every dollar counts! For example, $35 covers a single prescription co-pay for one patient, $52 donation covers the cost to tissue type for a blood marrow donor, $200 donation funds a Monthly Support Group meeting. Importantly, many companies have gift matching programs, so make sure to see if your donation can be multiplied via your employer. All donations are fully tax deductible.
TELL FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN: Everyone knows at least one person who has been affected by cancer, and as I mentioned above, many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients, but are also now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers and are in clinical trials for patients with lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Please forward this link along to family and friends, post on Facebook, etc.
AUCTION ITEMS: This campaign culminates with a gala on the evening of Saturday, June 2nd that includes both a silent and live auction. If you have (or have access to) anything that may be a good item, please let me know — Think sports tickets/memorabilia, concert tickets, vacation homes, unique experiences, wine/alcohol.Silent auction items have typically been in $100 to $2,000 range, while live auction items have historically gone for $2,000+.
GRAND FINALE CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS AND TABLES: If you or your company would be interested in being a sponsor (starts at $5K) or purchasing a table (starts at $2K) please let me know.
Thank you for your support!
— Pete and Team Notable
